(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Labor Day holiday to minimize travel disruption. Non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. this afternoon to 11:59 p.m. Monday. Lane reductions will continue on I-57 between Buckley and Onarga in Iroquois County, I-57 south of Illinois 50 to the Kankakee River in Kankakee County, I-74 between Neil Street and Lincoln Avenue in Champaign-Urbana and I-74 between mileposts 192 and 194 near St. Joseph in Champaign County and I-74 over the Salt Fork River west of Danville in Vermilion County.
(Paxton-jc) – It’s the service in small towns that helps bring customers to small town businesses. The City of Paxton has a Paxton Swine and Dine coming later this month and a wine and chocolate walk on the first Saturday of October. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Spokesperson Alan Meyer says events like these help showcase small town service and businesses…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Spokesperson Alan Meyer.
(Champaign-jm) – Two bats in Champaign County have tested for rabies over the past several months. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District wants to make the public alert. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. In the United States, rabies is mostly found in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes.If a bat enters your home or work area, the Illinois Department of Public Health said, it will need to be captured.
(Gibson City-jc) – As we look to the Labor Day Holiday weekend, one area town continues to recover from a devastating downtown fire in July. Several Gibson City businesses were destroyed from the blaze and several continue to remain closed pending any attempt to re-open. Gibson City Mayor Dan Dickey says the Gibson City community is thankful for area fire departments like Paxton, that came and helped his community…
Gibson City Mayor Dan Dickey.
(Champaign-jm) – The Parkland College Foundation and Agricultural Technologies department recently received a $75,000 grant from Compeer Financial as part of their Agriculture and Rural Initiative. Parkland's ag department will apply the grant to the school's Precision Agriculture program for equipment and technology purchases that supplement the hands-on learning and real-world experiences built into the curriculum. The college will also receive two annual $1,250 scholarships to award students enrolled in the Agriculture program or pathway over the next four years.
(Champaign-jm) – Changes will be coming to Champaign County’s Labor Day Parade this year, namely its location. The parade is being moved from Prairie Park in Urbana to downtown Champaign because of construction that is starting in the park. The parade will start at 10 a.m. on Monday at North Chestnut and East Main Streets.
(Washington-jm) – USDA is out with its new forecast for farm income. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) – Secretary of State Jesse White’s office is announcing driver services facilities will be closed for the Labor Day holiday. Facilities open Tuesday through Saturday will be closed Saturday. Facilities open Monday through Friday will be closed Monday.
(Paxton-jc) – The Labor Day holiday is considered the last unofficial weekend of summer. The City of Paxton and the Paxton Park District remain thankful for the efforts of the community and area to help open the Paxton pool this summer. Paxton Park District Director Cody Evans says the efforts of all those involved was appreciated…
Paxton Park District Director Cody Evans.
(Champaign-jm) – District 10 Illinois State Police recently conducted alcohol countermeasure enforcement patrols in Champaign County. The details were conducted to determine which businesses may be selling alcohol to underage people. Two people were arrested for unlawful delivery of alcoholic liquor to a minor.
(Buckley-jc) – Buckley based Christ Lutheran High School hosted another huge success with its annual auction and dinner in August. CLHS Executive Director Sandy Spitz says having a Christ based learning environment is a key for teaching tomorrow’s leaders…
CLHS Executive Director Sandy Spitz.
(Urbana-jm) – Thieves looking for catalytic converters targeted an Urbana dealership this week, taking at least 18 from Napleton’s Auto Park on Wednesday morning. New catalytic converters vary in cost, but they can set someone back up to $3,000 dollars.
(Champaign-jm) – COVID cases at the University of Illinois are reaching all-time highs. The university has not seen daily cases like this in the last two years, but testing requirements are different now than they used to be. Only unvaccinated students and staff have to test. On Tuesday, the university reported 326 new cases among students and staff, with a 22.65% positivity rate. The last time the numbers were close to being this high was in February 2022, when 287 cases were reported in a single day on February 1.
(Washington-jm) – What kind of farm income year is 2022 shaping up to be? USDA's new forecast has some answers to that question. Gary Crawford reports…
The 2022 Arthur Cheese Festival will take place Saturday through Monday.
Paxton IGA will hold their cookout benefiting Loda Lutheran Ladies on Saturday from 10-2.
The Bement Country Opry will perform at the Melvin Community Hall on Saturday at 7 pm. Cost is $10 for adults. Children 12 and under are free.
The National Sweetcorn Festival takes place through Monday at McFerren Park in Hoopeston.
The 74th annual Pontiac Threshermen's reunion takes place through Monday, 3 miles north of Pontiac.
